Where Does Virtue Come From? (Aquinas 101)

The virtues perfect the human person, making both the person and the person’s actions good. We all want good things. When we encounter something good—whether it be a type of food, a car, or a smartphone—our first question is often: Where can I get that?

Where Does Virtue Come From? (Aquinas 101) - Fr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P.

❓ Questions you want answered? Make sure to put #AskAFriar in your comment!

— WHAT'S NEW —

— WHAT'S NEXT —

— SOCIAL MEDIA —

— SUPPORT —

— THE THOMISTIC INSTITUTE —

— AQUINAS 101 —

#ThomisticInstitute #ThomasAquinas #Catholic #Thomism

[michaelaguilera]

You have a Golden Voice! Thank you Father.

[johnnyamerica]

Fr. Cuddy speaks clear and concise. I have learned a great deal from him. Thank you Father Cuddy.

[GilMichelini]

Father, this is the first time I recall seeing you in these videos. Thank you for answering God's call for your life because it is clear He has given you the gift of being a master teacher. You made a common and complex topic easier for us to understand.

[familyt]

Had to pause the video to comment on just how clear you are. Your tempo, gestures and clear explanation make this so much more easy to follow than any video I have watched of this kind. Fantastic job. Thank you.

[paolo]

Extremely clear, in content and in delivery, Thank you, Fr. Cajetan Cuddy!

[blinndorsey]

Wonderful summary of Aquinas' view on virtues...My questions are:
1. Where does the desire to perform moral acts come from? In other words, what makes one want to be just, temperate, prudent and brave?
2. If one is not graced with God given faith, hope or charity, what hope is there that one can develop the supernatural virtues?
3. Is there a connection between the two?

Look forward to learning more. Peace and thanks,

[richardoyeleke]

I love your voice Father...I would listen to a podcast from you all

Thank you for putting us on the track to becoming virtuous beings

[advinoworld]

Dear Father You are a born speaker ❤ please continue the good ministry! People need a voice like you 🎉❤

[saragarddiner]

Yes, I really enjoy the talks. Thank you Father. x

[byron]

Thank you Father you have explain the Virtues very simple and clear easily understood by all Ages young n old like me 57 years old before I conceived the meaning of Virtue as a profound abstract broad! Now I understand it! It is a habit or predisposition of a person with three components of Knowing, Willing, and Feeling! K More of this kind of videos! More Power Godbless!

[daily]

A delight to hear and learn, Fr. Cuddy! Thank you!

[mkznan]

Thank you for the video. For some reason, I started reading Summa Theologica, and I needed a guide on how to read it, which led me to watch this video. I was born Catholic, so you could say my knowledge of the religion was passed down to me without questioning. I’ve decided to embark on a new journey to understand God, the teachings, and everything else through my own research. I want to seek answers for myself.

[kristindreko]

Thank you Aquinas 101, may God bless you!

[fernandolh]

Where does virtue come from?

00:00 We all want good things…. When we encounter something good…: “Where can I get that?”
00:21 VIRTUES ARE GOOD THINGS. A virtuous person possesses an undeniable appeal. […] Unlike food, a car, or a smartphone, the virtues are not external, material things […] Virtues are things that inhere inside of a person.

00:52 In fact, human persons do not have virtues as much as THEY ARE VIRTUOUS. And this is good news. […] everyone has the potential to be truly virtuous and TO ENJOY, THE HAPPY FREEDOM THAT VIRTUE PROVIDES.

01:17 But where do we get virtue? Where does virtue come from? What makes a person virtuous? In this video, we are going to look at THE CAUSES OF THE VIRTUES.

01:29 We recall that the VIRTUES PERFECT THE HUMAN PERSON—making both the person and the person’s actions good.

01:37 A VIRTUE IS A KIND OF HABIT—that is, a stable disposition that profoundly qualifies (deeply characterizes) the human powers of knowing, willing, and feeling. We also recall that there are TWO BROAD CATEGORIES OF VIRTUE:

02:10 There are, first of all, MORAL OR “HUMAN” VIRTUES. These virtues perfect the human powers of knowing, willing, and feeling in a human way and on a human level. The most famous examples of these virtues are the habits of PRUDENCE, JUSTICE, FORTITUDE, and TEMPERANCE. These pivotal (or “cardinal”) virtues perfect the natural powers of knowing, willing, and feeling in a way proportioned to natural human freedom and flourishing.

02:41 The second broad category of virtue is the THEOLOGICAL OR “GOD” VIRTUES. These virtues perfect—and extend—the human powers of knowing and willing BEYOND THE HUMAN PERSON TO GOD HIMSELF. These virtues operate on a supernatural level. There are three theological virtues: FAITH, HOPE, and CHARITY.

03:07 Let us now turn to THE CAUSES OF THESE TWO TYPES OF VIRTUES.

03:11 A NATURAL CAUSE OF THE MORAL (OR HUMAN) VIRTUES IS THE PERFORMANCE OF GOOD ACTIONS. […] The man who acts justly with regularity eventually acquires the habit of justice in his will. Why? Because through deliberate and repeated acts of justice he becomes accustomed—he becomes, habituated—to the form of justice. His will itself takes on the “just shape” of his just actions. […] And because his actions are just, he becomes a just person.
04:23 Similarly, the man who acts temperately—the man who allows reason to guide his enjoyment of physical pleasures like food and drink—eventually becomes a temperate man.
He is a man whose desires take on the virtuous shape—the liberating habit—of temperance.
04:43 Through deliberate and repeated acts of eating well and in healthy proportions (pursuing the good and virtuous mean between excess [too much] and defect [too little]), the man becomes a temperate man.

04:58 In summary, THE NATURAL CAUSE OF MORAL VIRTUE IS THE PERFORMANCE OF GOOD ACTIONS. […] The more good that we do, the more virtuous we become. And the more virtuous we become, the more promptly, joyfully, and easily do we perform good actions. We become what we do.

05:23 There is another type of virtue that NO HUMAN ACTION CAN INSTILL IN THE SOUL OF THE PERSON. And these are THE INFUSED VIRTUES—the virtues that direct and unite us to God.

05:37 GOD IS THE PRINCIPAL CAUSE OF THE INFUSED VIRTUES. […]. In the case of
infused virtues, however, the order is reversed.
05:54 God first imparts—he first infuses—supernatural virtues into the soul and then the person is able to act according to these theological virtues.

06:05 Why do we need infused supernatural virtues? The moral virtues are good insofar as they perfect human nature on a natural level.
06:16 In contrast, THE INFUSED VIRTUES ARE SUPERNATURALLY “GOOD”—they are good with a goodness beyond the proportion of human goodness. God is the measure of supernatural goodness. And because the intimate life of God is beyond the natural reach of the human powers of knowing and willing, only God can cause the theological virtues in the powers of the human soul.

06:43 Take the infused (theological) virtue of faith, for example. No repeated acts of rigorous “thought” or even sympathetic “judgment” can engender or cause the supernatural virtue of faith in the human intellect. Rather, God first imparts the theological virtue of faith in the soul, and it is by this supernatural habit that we are enabled to make acts of faith. The theological virtue of faith unites the human intellect to God. Through faith we believe that what God reveals is true because it is God who reveals it. Our mind must first be raised to God in order for us to believe something because of God. […]

07:38 In sum, the virtues perfect the human person—making both the person and the person’s actions good. But there are two kinds of goodness.
07:48 There is natural (moral) goodness and there is supernatural (theological) goodness.
07:54 WE CAN ACQUIRE THE MORAL VIRTUES THROUGH REPEATED GOOD ACTIONS. In this way, good actions are the cause of moral virtue in the human powers of knowing, willing, and feeling.

08:08 With regard to supernatural goodness—the goodness of God—however, no human action can produce theologically proportioned virtues. ONLY GOD CAN CAUSE—ONLY GOD INFUSES—“HIS” VIRTUES: FAITH, HOPE, AND CHARITY.

08:27 Therefore, repeated and deliberate good actions can cause moral virtue. But only God can cause the infused virtues in the soul of the human person.

08:41 For readings, podcasts and more videos like this, go to Aquinas101.com. While you're there, be sure to sign up for one of our free video courses on Aquinas. And don't forget to like and share with your friends because it matters what you think.

[jakec]

Excellent video. Thank you, Father Cuddy.

[Teal_Moon]

This is amazing. Thank you for the teaching. Very well done. God bless

[medicalmindset]

If theological virtue are imparted by God first, are those outside the faith yet to be pursued by God or are they yet to respond?

[fedesetrtatio]

Thank you Father. What an angelic presentation.

[iqgustavo]

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

00:00 🤔 Virtues are internal qualities, not external possessions.
01:05 🧠 Virtues are stable habits that shape human powers of knowing, willing, and feeling.
02:28 ⚖️ There are moral virtues (prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance) and theological virtues (faith, hope, charity).
03:25 🔄 Moral virtues are acquired through repeated good actions, shaping one's character.
05:12 🙏 Infused virtues are God-given, beyond human abilities, including faith, hope, and charity.
07:26 🌟 Infused faith unites the human intellect to God's revelations.
08:24 🙌 Moral virtues are caused by good actions, while infused virtues are caused by God's grace.

Made with HARPA AI

[ma.teresitavillar]

Very beautiful and comprehensive lesson on virtues. Thank you very much, Fr. Cajetan, op.